Box, in Particular for Make-Up Product

ABSTRACT

The box comprises a body housing a support for carrying a receptacle. The support separates, in the body of the box, an arrangement space for arranging the receptacle from a space for storing at least one accessory. The arrangement space at least partially covers the storage space. Preferably, the support includes at least one orifice for covering at least in part by the receptacle. Said orifice forms an access for a means for separating the receptacle from the support. By way of example, the receptacle is a dish containing makeup.

The present invention relates to an improved box, in particular for makeup.

The prior art discloses a box of the type comprising a body housing a support for carrying a receptacle.

In a makeup box of that type, the body comprises at least one receptacle forming a dish containing the makeup. The makeup may be picked up, in particular using an accessory forming a brush. Said brush is generally stored in an indentation provided in the support to one side of the dish so that the arrangement space for the dish and the storage space for the brush are juxtaposed in the box body. For that reason, the dimensions of the indentation and of the brush are limited by the size of the dish. Said dimensions are further reduced if the support carries a large number of dishes.

However, using a brush which is too small is awkward.

The aim of the invention is to provide a box of the above type which may contain one or more accessories with dimensions which are as large as possible to make them optimally ergonomic.

To this end, the invention provides a box of the above-specified type, characterized in that the support separates, in the body of the box, a space for arranging the receptacle from a space for storing at least one accessory, the arrangement space at least partially covering the storage space, and in that the support includes at least one orifice for covering at least in part by the receptacle, said orifice forming an access for a separator means for separating the receptacle from the support.

Because the dish arrangement space at least partially covers the accessory storage space, the dimensions of the accessory are independent of the number and dimensions of the dishes contained in the box. Thus, the dimensions of the accessory may be as large as can be allowed by the body of the box containing that accessory.

Further, the invention allows an empty dish to be separated from a support on which it is fixed, even if said dish is adhesively bonded and/or difficult to grasp.

Finally, the separator means access orifices constitute means which facilitate separation of the dishes from the support, which means are masked by the dishes which cover them so they are invisible from outside the box. Thus, the means of the invention facilitating separation of the dishes from the support do not deleteriously affect the appearance of the box.

Other optional characteristics of various embodiments of the invention are as follows:

the storage space communicates with the separator means access orifice;

the separator means access orifice is flush with one face of the support forming a bearing face for the receptacle;

the support includes a plurality of separator means access orifices;

the storage space includes a plurality of compartments each communicating with a corresponding user access orifice and each forming a sub-space for storing a corresponding accessory;

the compartments are defined by partitions which are integral with the support;

the support comprises a platen, in the general form of a plate, carried by a seat, each separator means access orifice being provided in the platen, the partitions being integral with the seat and substantially perpendicular to the platen;

the support comprises a platen, in the general form of a plate, each separator means access orifice being provided in the platen, the support forming a drawer which is slidably mounted in the body between a retracted position in the body and an extended position in which a user may employ a finger as the means for separating the receptacle from the support;

the body includes at least one orifice for a user to gain access to the storage space;

the body includes a plug for blocking the user access orifice, said plug being for being connected, preferably using releasable means, to one end of a corresponding accessory, so that the accessory carries the plug;

the box includes a flap hinged on the body, for blocking the user access orifice;

the storage space is provided with a storage drawer for housing the accessories, which is slidably mounted in the body between a retracted position in the body and an extended position for access to the accessories;

the accessory is for use with the contents of a receptacle;

the receptacle is a dish containing makeup;

the accessory is a makeup pencil or brush; and

the box includes a lid, hinged on the body, provided with a mirror and means for illuminating said mirror, preferably including a light guide which at least partially extends along the outline of the mirror.

The invention can be better understood from the following description which is given purely by way of example and is made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a box of the invention, said box being in an open configuration;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the box shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the box shown in the preceding figures;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one end of an accessory which can be stored in the box shown in the preceding figures;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a support housed in the body of the box shown in the preceding figures;

FIG. 6 is a partially cut away perspective view of a box in a second embodiment, said box being in an open configuration;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a box of a third embodiment of the invention, the cover of this box being open; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are side views of the box of FIG. 7 in two respective configurations.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a box for makeup in a first embodiment of the invention, denoted by the general reference numeral 10.

The box 10, forming a makeup case, comprises a body 12 on which a lid 14 is hinged.

Referring in particular to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the body 12 has a generally elongate shape defined by a base 12F, two longitudinal edges 12L and two transverse edges 12T.

The lid 14 is hinged on a longitudinal edge 12L of the body so that it can pivot about an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges 12L.

The longitudinal dimension of the box 10 may be as much as 14 cm [centimeters] or more. The transverse dimension of the box 10 may be as much as 5.5 cm or more.

The box 10 is for containing a plurality of receptacles, only some of which are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Said receptacles form dishes 16A, 16B, 16C each containing makeup.

It should be noted that in the example described, the dishes 16A to 16C are each generally parallelepipedal in shape. The dishes 16A to 16C may have different volumes. However, in general, the dishes 16A to 16C are preferably identical in depth.

The dishes 16A to 16C are carried by a support 18 housed in the body 12. More particularly, the dishes 16A to 16C are housed in an indentation 19 of the support 18. The substantially rectangular outline of the indentation 19 is defined by the edges of the support 18 for participating in the longitudinal and transverse positioning of the dishes 16A to 16C on the support 18.

In the example shown, the support 18 comprises a platen 20, which is generally formed as a perforated plate, carried by a seat 22. The outline of the indentation 19 is defined by the platen 20 and the seat 2. The base of the indentation 19 is defined by the platen 20 which is generally rectangular in shape.

The dishes 16A to 16C are carried by the platen 20 and removably fixed to said platen 20, for example by means of adhesive means arranged between the dishes 16A to 16C and the platen 20 or means for wedging the dishes 16A to 16C together.

It should be noted that the indentation 19 may contain various arrangements of dishes depending on the dimensions of said dishes.

The platen 20 comprises a plurality of orifices 24 at least partially covered by the bases of the dishes 16A to 16C.

As described in more detail below, each orifice 24 forms an access for a tool for separating the dishes 16A to 16C from the platen 20. Thus, when the box is worth keeping, empty dishes 16A to 16C may be replaced by new, full dishes.

In the example shown, each orifice 24 has a generally rectangular shape and they are aligned in several rows substantially parallel to the longitudinal 12L and transverse 12T edges of the body.

The orifices 24 are flush with the face 20F of the platen forming a bearing face for the dishes 16A to 16C.

It should be noted that in the body 12 of the box, the support 18 separates a space G for arranging dishes 16A to 16C (see FIG. 1) from a storage space R extending between the base 12F of the body and the platen 20 of the support (see FIG. 3). In fact, the seat 2 forms a distance piece spacing the platen 20 from the base 12F of the body.

The arrangement space G at least partially covers the storage space R. Said space R is for storing at least one accessory which is preferably for use with the contents of the dishes.

In the example described, the space R is for storing three accessories forming makeup brushes P1, P2, P3. In a variation, at least one of the accessories could form a makeup pencil.

It should be noted that, like the dishes 16A to 16C, accessories P1 to P3 may be changed to provide accessories which are best suited to the contents of the dishes.

It should be noted that the storage space R communicates with the orifices 24 provided in the platen.

The storage space R comprises a plurality of compartments each forming a sub space for storing a corresponding accessory P1 to P3.

Thus, in the example shown, the storage space R comprises three compartments C1, C2, C3. Compartments C1 to C3 are defined by partitions 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D which are integral with the seat 22. Said partitions 22A to 22D extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges 12L of the body and substantially perpendicular to the platen 20.

The dimensions of each accessory P1 to P3 are independent of the number and dimensions of the dishes 16A to 16C contained in the arrangement space G. The dimensions of an accessory P1 to P3 may be as large as allowed by that of the compartments C1 to C3 containing said accessory. With regard to the longitudinal dimension of the box 10 mentioned above, it should be noted that the accessories P1 to P3 may reach or even exceed 12 cm in length. This relatively long length means that accessories P1 to P3 are easy to manipulate.

Compartments C1 to C3 each communicate with a corresponding user access orifice 26A, 26B, 26C provided in a transverse edge 12T of the box body. Each orifice 26A to 26C forms an access for a user to a corresponding compartment C1 to C3.

In the example shown, two user access orifices 26A, 26C are provided in a first transverse edge 12T and one user access orifice 26B is provided in the second transverse edge 12T.

Preferably, each brush P1 to P3 comprises a handle, with a distal end carrying bristles and a proximal end, opposite the first end, carrying a plug T1, T2, T3. Said plug T1 to T3 is for blocking the user access orifice 26A to 26C communicating with the compartment C1, C2, C3 in which the accessory P1 to P3 is housed.

The plug T1 to T3 is connected at the proximal end of the handle of the brush P1 to P3 by releasable connection means 27, for example of the screw or bayonet type. Said releasable means 27 mean that the brushes P1 to P3 can be changed.

When an accessory P1 to P3 is in the storage position in a corresponding compartment C1 to C3, the blocking plug T1 to T3 is flush with the outer surface of the body 12 of the box generally to extend the general shape of said body, as can be seen in FIG. 1.

To facilitate grasping the plugs T1 to T3 when the accessories P1 to P3 are in the storage position, said plugs T1 to T3 each include an indentation 28 which can receive a user's fingernail (see FIG. 4).

Preferably, the plugs T1 to T3 each also include two indentations 30, 32 which facilitate grasping them between the user's thumb and index finger.

The lid 14 is provided with a mirror 34 and electric means 36 for illuminating the mirror.

Preferably, the illumination means 36 comprise a light guide 38 connected to a conventional light source powered by an electric cell, not shown.

The light guide 38 extends at least partially along the outline of the mirror 34. In the example shown, since the mirror 34 has a generally rectangular shape, the light guide extends along the three edges defining said mirror.

FIGS. 1 to 3 in particular also show a switch 40 to control switching the illumination means 36 on and off.

The box 10 described above is very simple to use.

When, for example, the box 10 is in the open configuration shown in FIG. 1, one of the accessories P1 to P3 may be removed from their corresponding storage compartment C1 to C3 depending on the type of dish 16A to 16C which is to be used.

When one of the dishes 16A to 16C is empty, it may be replaced as follows.

Firstly, a user access orifice 26A to 26C is opened by removing one of the accessories P1 to P3 from the corresponding compartment C1 to C3.

A conventional tool L is then introduced into the open user orifice 26A to 26C and a tool access orifice 24 covered by the dish 16A to 16C to be replaced, as shown in FIG. 5. The distal end of the tool L is then placed in contact with the dish 16A to 16C to be replaced. By exerting force on the tool L, pressure is exerted on the dish 16A to 16C to be replaced to separate it from the platen 20, overcoming the forces binding the dish and the platen.

By means of the invention, it is easy to separate the empty dish 16A to 16C from the support 18 to which it is fixed, even if the dish is adhesively bonded and/or difficult to grip.

Further, it should be noted that the tool access orifices 24, communicating with the compartments C1 to C3, form means which facilitate separation of the dishes 16A to 16C from the support 18, which are masked by the dishes which cover them and which are invisible from the outside of the box. The means of the invention facilitating separation of the dishes 16A to 16C from the support 18 thus do not impinge upon the esthetics of the box.

FIG. 6 shows a box for makeup in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. In this figure, elements which are analogous to those of the preceding figures are denoted by identical reference numerals.

In this second embodiment of the invention, access by a user to the compartments C1 to C3 and thus to the storage space R is gained via a common orifice 41 provided in the body 12. The user access orifice 41 can be obscured using a flap 42 hinged on the body 12 about an axis which is substantially orthogonal to the hinge axis of the lid 14 on the body 12.

The flap 42 can be displaced between a retracted position masking compartments C1 to C3 and the accessories it contains and an open position as shown in FIG. 6 allowing access to compartments C1 to C3 and to accessories P1 to P3 through the orifice 41.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show a box for makeup in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. In FIGS. 7 to 9, elements analogous to those of the preceding Figures are denoted by identical reference numbers.

Under such circumstances, the support 18, comprising the platen 20, forms a drawer which is slidably mounted in the body 12 in a direction substantially parallel to the bearing face 20F of the platen.

The support 18 can be displaced between a retracted position in the body 12 as shown in FIG. 8 and an extended position as shown in FIG. 9. In this extended position of the support 18, a user may replace an empty dish 16A to 16C by exerting pressure on the empty dish through an access orifice 24 of the platen 20 using a thumb DG.

Further, in the third embodiment of the invention, the storage space R is provided with a storage drawer T4 in which the accessories P1 to P3 are housed. Said drawer T4 is slidably mounted in the body 12 substantially parallel to the bearing face 20F of the platen.

The storage drawer T4 can be displaced between a retracted position in the body 12 as shown in FIG. 9 and an extended position for access to the accessories P1 to P3, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In a variation, the box 10 of the third embodiment of the invention may comprise a single drawer, namely either the support 18 which forms a drawer or the storage drawer T4.

The advantages of the invention include the fact that the box 10 may be provided with various dishes and accessories, which may be changed to reflect users' customs and tastes. 

1. A box of the type comprising a body housing a support for carrying a receptacle (16A, 16B, 16C), wherein said support separates, in the body of the box, an arrangement space for arranging the receptacle from a space for storing at least one accessory, the arrangement space at least partially covering the storage space, and in that the support includes at least one orifice for covering at least in part by the receptacle, said orifice forming an access for a separator means for separating the receptacle from the support.
 2. The box according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage space communicates with said at least one access orifice.
 3. The box according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one access orifice is flush with one face of the support forming a bearing face for the receptacle.
 4. The box according to claim 1, characterized in that the support includes a plurality of separator means access orifices.
 5. The box according to claim 4, characterized in that the storage space includes a plurality of compartments each communicating with a corresponding user access orifice and each forming a sub-space for storing a corresponding accessory.
 6. The box according to claim 5, characterized in that the compartments are defined by partitions which are integral with the support.
 7. The box according to claim 6, characterized in that the support comprises a platen, in the general form of a plate, carried by a seat, each separator means access orifice being provided in the platen, the partitions being integral with the seat and substantially perpendicular to the platen.
 8. The box according to claim 1, characterized in that the support comprises a platen, in the general form of a plate, each separator means access orifice being provided in the platen, the support forming a drawer which is slidably mounted in the body between a retracted position in the body and an extended position in which a user may employ a finger as the means for separating the receptacle from the support.
 9. The box according to claim 1, characterized in that the body includes at least one orifice for a user to gain access to the storage space.
 10. The box according to claim 9, characterized in that the body includes a plug for blocking the user access orifice, said plug being for connecting, preferably using releasable means, to one end of a corresponding accessory, so that the accessory carries the plug.
 11. The box according to claim 9, characterized in that the box includes a flap hinged on the body, for blocking the user access orifice.
 12. The box according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage space is provided with a storage drawer in which the accessories are to be housed, which is slidably mounted in the body between a retracted position in the body and an extended position for access to the accessories.
 13. The box according to claim 1, characterized in that the accessory is for use with the contents of a receptacle.
 14. The box according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle is a dish containing makeup.
 15. The box according to claim 1, characterized in that the accessory is a makeup pencil or brush.
 16. The box according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a lid, hinged on the body, provided with a mirror and means for illuminating said mirror, preferably including a light guide which at least partially extends along the outline of the mirror.
 17. A box comprising: a body housing; a support for carrying a receptacle, said support comprising at least one orifice for covering at least in part by the receptacle, said orifice forming an access for a separator means for separating the receptacle from the support; and said support separating, in the body of the box, an arrangement space for storing at least one accessory.
 18. The box according to claim 17 characterized in that the support comprises a plurality of access orifices.
 19. The box according to claim 18, characterized in that the storage space includes a plurality of compartments each communicating with a corresponding one of said plurality of access orifices and each forming a sub-space for storing a corresponding accessory. 